Abstract
Background/aims:
Many compounds that have already been approved for alternate diagnoses have been studied in relation to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this review is to summarize these studies and discuss the rationale and benefits of repurposing drugs for AD treatment.
Methods:
Studies of drugs related to AD treatment that were relevant to a disease-modifying mechanism of action (MOA) and are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for non-AD diagnoses were collected from PubMed.
Results:
Many drugs already approved for the treatment of other diseases have been studied in relation to AD treatment. Numerous drugs with known toxicity profiles have the potential to be repurposed as a treatment for AD.
Conclusion:
Known MOA, toxicology, and pharmacodynamic profiles would accelerate the process and increase the odds of finding a more timely disease-modifying treatment for AD.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
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Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
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Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
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Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
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Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
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Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
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Drug Discovery
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Humans
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
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Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
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Methylene Blue / therapeutic use
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Nicotine / therapeutic use
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Nicotinic Agonists / therapeutic use
Substances
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Anti-Asthmatic Agents
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
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Anticonvulsants
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Antidepressive Agents
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Antihypertensive Agents
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Antineoplastic Agents
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Antiparkinson Agents
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Antipsychotic Agents
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
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Hypoglycemic Agents
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Nicotinic Agonists
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Nicotine
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Methylene Blue